If a "child" (under 18) consents to having sex, does that make it okay? How young should someone be in order to completely control their own rights and responsibilities. By age 18 for sure, an individual is able to make their own decisions. But what about at age 16? Is there really that much different in a maturity level in those 2 short years? What about at age 14? Young girls start menstruating around then, even sooner. Is that the indicator of maturity?
If so, why is teenage pregnancy so often looked down upon? Teenage mothers and fathers are discriminated against, looked at as 'sluts' and irresponsible people. But considering the law, they are legally considered adults. So is this couple no longer considered children because they might have just turned 18? Or are they considered 'children having children'? Are the parents of sexually active and pregnant teenagers considered irresponsible themselves? Is it really the responsibility of parents to 'control' their children?
Also, mistakes happen, sometimes protection doesn't work. But what if two teenagers decide they are capable and ready to have their own child. No mistakes. These young adults are still disriminated against.
In these situations, what is okay? what is condisered 'right' ? Is there even a barrier between 'right' and 'wrong'?
Our society is so often involved in the juding of others, are we too focused on discriminating that we are overlooking our own laws?
Start thinking.
My opinion is that at the age of 14 instead of being allowed to have sex and than having a teenage pregnancy, you should be in school devolping your mind. I am sorry just because you say you want something and can do it, doesn't mean you should. Your brain is not done devolping until your sometime in your twenties. I believe you should give yourself room to grow into your own self before you completley focus your life on someone else. It's tougher to go through high school, college and become trained for a career with a kid. Having sex at a younger age only increases someone's chances of pregnancy, STDs and a whole slew of other emotional problems.
Yes I do beleive it is the parent's responsiblity to look after their kids and protect them. Protect them from guilt, regret and other issues. At the same time, I a strong beleiver in learning from your own mistakes. Still the parents are responsible for their children.
There's my two cents,
luv, Monica
I completely agree with most of this post. As to the origional author questining teens who "choose" to have a baby," I think that thy are not capable of making that decision rationally. Personally, I do think there should be a stigma on teen pregnancy, as it only comes from irrisponsibility or down right stupidity. Teens are NEVER mature enough to start a family.
I have in fact heard of teens who got pregnant because they wanted to, and because it was planned. However, this decision, as you said, was not made rationally. That I agree with.
But there are those few out there. And I don't mean because those girls wanted to try and make their boyfriend 'stay' with them. I mean both parties fully wanted children.
I'm not saying I agree with it, but it does happen.
The "age of concent" varies from state to state and country to country. I know that in my state (AZ), once you are 16 you can legally have sex with someone between 16 and 18. At 17, between 16 and 19, 18, from 16 and up. It's illegal under 16 always (but no one is going to care if two 14 year olds have sex). Most countries, however, the age of concent, for any other age, is 16. In Spain, the age is as low as 13.
The age of consent should not determine at what age a child is "allowed" to have sex (what a ridiculous concept, let's send kids to jail for having consensual sex), but at what age a child can consent to having a sexual relationship with an adult.
the only reason i look down at teen pregnancy ,which to me is under 18 and still in traditional highschool, is that many teens that do have a child are really not that ready. Most don't live on their own, or pay all of their own bills, or have day care...their parents supply those. and thats not fair to the parents. aparently if it wasn't a planned pregnancy most of them were not even responsible enough to find proper birth control. Also research shows that if these teens are not secure (as with some adults) the child will have a higher chance of having ADD, behavioral problems..and the such.
...please notice the "most"
The best comment I can give you is a link to my blog about fiscally responsible sex.
I am a supporter of waiting until you are emotionally, socially, and financially capable of supporting a yourself and/or an abortion/child before you go off doing things that have significant consequences.
http://www.progressiveu.org/031426-fiscally-responsible-sex
I don't think sex at age 14 should be encouraged. I personally don't know anyone who was emotionally ready to have sex when they were that young, although I'm sure some girls are. I also think it is unfair to the newborn to be born to someone who is a child themself. While at age 14 you may be emotionally ready, society does not allow you to get a full time job to pay for the expenses of a baby, you can't rent an apartment so you are dependent on your parents to support both you and your own child.
I don't believe it ok to have an abortion, but I can see why you might want one if you are pregnant at age 14.
Theres no way the average 14 year old is as mature as the average 18 year old. This kind of topic depends on so much more than age though, ie maturity of the persons involved, background and the fi...